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Former Govs. Larry Hogan, Steve Bullock repeat call for more listening, less shouting in politics

The article from WTOP, published on June 10, 2025, features former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and former Montana Governor Steve Bullock discussing their new book, "Don't Burn This Book: Thinking for Yourself in an Age of Unreason." The book emphasizes the need for more listening and less shouting in politics, a theme that both governors have been advocating for years. The article delves into their motivations for writing the book, their experiences in politics, and their hopes for the future of political discourse in the United States.

Larry Hogan and Steve Bullock, both of whom served as governors from 2015 to 2023, have been friends for many years, despite their political differences. Hogan is a Republican, while Bullock is a Democrat. Their friendship and ability to work together across party lines is a central theme of the book and the article. They believe that their experiences as governors, where they had to work with legislators from both parties to get things done, have given them a unique perspective on the current state of political discourse.

The article begins with a quote from Hogan, who says, "We need to stop shouting at each other and start listening. We need to find common ground and work together to solve the problems facing our country." This sentiment is echoed by Bullock, who adds, "We can disagree without being disagreeable. We can have different opinions without demonizing each other."

The article then goes into the background of the two governors. Larry Hogan was born and raised in Maryland and served as the state's governor from 2015 to 2023. He is the son of former U.S. Congressman Lawrence Hogan, Sr., and grew up in a political family. Hogan's political career began in the 1990s when he served as the secretary of appointments for Maryland Governor Bob Ehrlich. He later ran for governor in 2014 and won, becoming the first Republican governor of Maryland in eight years.

Steve Bullock, on the other hand, was born and raised in Montana and served as the state's governor from 2015 to 2023. He began his political career in the early 2000s when he served as the chief legal counsel to Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer. Bullock later ran for attorney general in 2008 and won, becoming the first Democrat to hold the office in 16 years. He then ran for governor in 2012 and won, becoming the first Democrat to hold the office in 16 years.

The article then discusses the governors' experiences in office and how they worked across party lines to get things done. Hogan, for example, worked with the Democratic-controlled legislature to pass a budget that included tax cuts and increased funding for education. Bullock, on the other hand, worked with the Republican-controlled legislature to pass a budget that included increased funding for infrastructure and healthcare.

The article also discusses the governors' views on the current state of political discourse in the United States. Both Hogan and Bullock believe that the country is more divided than ever before and that the media and social media have played a role in exacerbating these divisions. They believe that the constant shouting and demonization of those with different opinions has made it difficult for people to have productive conversations and find common ground.

The article then goes into the governors' hopes for the future of political discourse. Both Hogan and Bullock believe that the country needs to move away from the current state of division and towards a more civil and productive dialogue. They believe that their book can help start this conversation and that it can serve as a guide for people who want to engage in more productive political discussions.

The article concludes with a quote from Bullock, who says, "We wrote this book because we believe that there is still hope for our country. We believe that if we can start listening to each other and working together, we can solve the problems facing our nation."

Overall, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the new book by former Governors Larry Hogan and Steve Bullock and their call for more listening and less shouting in politics. The article delves into their backgrounds, their experiences in office, and their hopes for the future of political discourse in the United States. It is clear that both governors are passionate about this issue and that they believe that their book can help start a much-needed conversation about the state of political discourse in the country.

Read the Full WTOP Article at:
[ https://wtop.com/maryland/2025/06/former-govs-larry-hogan-steve-bullock-repeat-call-for-more-listening-less-shouting-in-politics/ ]